Steve Parsons: Our Best Gig... So Far, described by the West Country-based singer/songwriter

Sunday 1st September 2002

In our series we ask well known artists to pinpoint their most memorable live performance. This issue we spoke to STEVE PARSONS.

There have been great gigs for different reasons. Playing a set at the London Arena because it was huge or some of the bigger churches I've played at in the USA contrasts with the joy of singing to a small audience when you just know that the message is getting through. I think the best gig for me though would be some years ago. I arrived at the church and met the guys who were in my band and we set up the gear and sound checked. Everything was sounding good so we headed out to the pastor's office to relax. About 15 minutes before the concert was due to begin someone came into the office with the report. "Sorry lads, there's only about a dozen people here." We were frustrated. We put on those brave Christian faces that you are supposed to put on at such times but inside I was mad. It's in those moments that you just want to pack it all in and go do something else. But I was in this church with 12 people to sing to and a pride level rising rapidly. "I deserve better than this," I thought, so God in his love slapped me across the head and I heard the Holy Spirit ask, "Who are you doing this for?" 10 minutes later we'd had a great prayer time (I'd had a great repentance time) and we just decided to go out and bless this handful of people. We really dealt with our attitude. As it turns out everyone decided to arrive at the last minute so we walked out to find the church full with a couple hundred people. The atmosphere was electric; the music sounded great, we did two encores, sold a ton of albums and a bunch of people took steps toward Christ. Just as important though was that I'd learned a lesson about attitude that I' ve hopefully carried with me since. I think to survive as a Christian artist you have to learn that lesson somehow. CR

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.
 

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